1. Avoid Weak Passwords & Reusing Passwords:
Never use weak passwords, and avoid reusing the same ones across multiple accounts. Steer clear of using easily identifiable information in your passwords. It's strongly recommended to use a password manager like KeePassXC to securely store and manage your passwords. Additionally, change your router password from its default setting to something unique and secure. Consider using fake security questions wherever possible to enhance security.
2. Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication):
Whenever possible, enable 2FA for added protection. However, avoid using SMS-based verification as it's prone to interception. Instead, opt for a local authenticator app like Tofu or Aegis to generate secure verification codes.
3. Manage Google Tracking:
Disable Google tracking by visiting Google’s “My Activity” page and adjusting your settings to minimize data collection.
4. Scrub Personal Information Online:
Remove your personal email from websites you've registered on. This means going through old inboxes and unsubscribing from newsletters or lists. To further secure your information, change your details to something fake before deleting accounts. A helpful resource for finding common websites is (https://backgroundchecks.org/justdeleteme/).
5. Delete Social Media Accounts:
Consider deleting all social media profiles—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, etc. These platforms are major risks to your privacy and can be used for doxxing or compromising your information. Plus, you’ll likely find your life improves without them.
6. Avoid SMS for Communication:
Never rely on SMS for communication, as it's vulnerable to various security threats. Switch to end-to-end encrypted apps like Signal for secure messaging.
7. Use Disposable Email Services:
For signups and temporary communication, use disposable email services like GuerillaMail to keep your primary email address private.
8. Use Privacy-Focused Browsers:
Opt for a privacy-respecting browser like Tor, which can be used for all browsing—not just Dark Web activities. Alternatively, configure Firefox with enhanced security and privacy settings. Check online guides to tweak your settings for maximum privacy.
9. Use Privacy-Respecting Search Engines:
Instead of Google, use search engines that don’t track your activity, like DuckDuckGo or Startpage. These search engines provide similar results to Google but without the associated tracking.
10. Mobile Device Privacy:
On your smartphone, disable analytics and telemetry collection. Always review app permissions and deny location-sharing access whenever possible to reduce exposure.
11. Use a VPN:
Always use a VPN for an additional layer of privacy. While it won’t guarantee complete anonymity, it’s a simple way to enhance your online security. I recommend Mullvad for their strong privacy policies, anonymous account creation, and zero-logging practice.
12. Keep Your Software Up to Date:
Enable auto-updates for all your apps and software to ensure you have the latest security patches and are protected from known vulnerabilities.
13. Clean Up Your Devices Regularly:
Periodically delete old logs, unused apps, temporary files, and anything else you no longer need. BleachBit (link) is a great tool for cleaning up your system and ensuring it doesn’t hold onto unnecessary data.
14. Backup Your Data:
Always keep backups of important files. Use a physical hard drive for backups instead of relying solely on cloud storage, as it may be a potential security vulnerability. We'll cover more about cloud storage security in future posts.
Never use weak passwords, and avoid reusing the same ones across multiple accounts. Steer clear of using easily identifiable information in your passwords. It's strongly recommended to use a password manager like KeePassXC to securely store and manage your passwords. Additionally, change your router password from its default setting to something unique and secure. Consider using fake security questions wherever possible to enhance security.
2. Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication):
Whenever possible, enable 2FA for added protection. However, avoid using SMS-based verification as it's prone to interception. Instead, opt for a local authenticator app like Tofu or Aegis to generate secure verification codes.
3. Manage Google Tracking:
Disable Google tracking by visiting Google’s “My Activity” page and adjusting your settings to minimize data collection.
4. Scrub Personal Information Online:
Remove your personal email from websites you've registered on. This means going through old inboxes and unsubscribing from newsletters or lists. To further secure your information, change your details to something fake before deleting accounts. A helpful resource for finding common websites is (https://backgroundchecks.org/justdeleteme/).
5. Delete Social Media Accounts:
Consider deleting all social media profiles—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, etc. These platforms are major risks to your privacy and can be used for doxxing or compromising your information. Plus, you’ll likely find your life improves without them.
6. Avoid SMS for Communication:
Never rely on SMS for communication, as it's vulnerable to various security threats. Switch to end-to-end encrypted apps like Signal for secure messaging.
7. Use Disposable Email Services:
For signups and temporary communication, use disposable email services like GuerillaMail to keep your primary email address private.
8. Use Privacy-Focused Browsers:
Opt for a privacy-respecting browser like Tor, which can be used for all browsing—not just Dark Web activities. Alternatively, configure Firefox with enhanced security and privacy settings. Check online guides to tweak your settings for maximum privacy.
9. Use Privacy-Respecting Search Engines:
Instead of Google, use search engines that don’t track your activity, like DuckDuckGo or Startpage. These search engines provide similar results to Google but without the associated tracking.
10. Mobile Device Privacy:
On your smartphone, disable analytics and telemetry collection. Always review app permissions and deny location-sharing access whenever possible to reduce exposure.
11. Use a VPN:
Always use a VPN for an additional layer of privacy. While it won’t guarantee complete anonymity, it’s a simple way to enhance your online security. I recommend Mullvad for their strong privacy policies, anonymous account creation, and zero-logging practice.
12. Keep Your Software Up to Date:
Enable auto-updates for all your apps and software to ensure you have the latest security patches and are protected from known vulnerabilities.
13. Clean Up Your Devices Regularly:
Periodically delete old logs, unused apps, temporary files, and anything else you no longer need. BleachBit (link) is a great tool for cleaning up your system and ensuring it doesn’t hold onto unnecessary data.
14. Backup Your Data:
Always keep backups of important files. Use a physical hard drive for backups instead of relying solely on cloud storage, as it may be a potential security vulnerability. We'll cover more about cloud storage security in future posts.